More GM Talk, DL Updates and Lineups

The Yahoo Sports report suggesting Jerry Dipoto's imminent appointment as Nats' GM is becoming more and more puzzling. On Wednesday afternoon, both acting GM Mike Rizzo and team president Stan Kasten were on the field during batting practice, joking with one another -- no awkwardness detectable. Both looked exceedingly relaxed. At one point, Rizzo was brought over to the media to discuss some ongoing roster moves/decisions. Oh by the way, he's scheduled to participate in a Q&A with fans on Friday following Stephen Strasburg's introductory press conference.

Combine that with what I mentioned in an earlier post -- he solely negotiated with Scott Boras during the final minutes on Monday... he has very strategically been given the spotlight in recent days... his stock has never been higher... -- and the whole picture does not equate. This does not look like somebody on his way out. Quite the contrary.

Rizzo, though, declined on Wednesday to comment on his job status, and Kasten only said, "Nothing has changed since I addressed the general manager situation the last time, which was March 1."

* Jordan Zimmermann on Wednesday afternoon underwent successful reconstructive elbow surgery in Los Angeles. The surgery was performed by Nationals' team doctor Wiemi Douoguih and orthopedic specialist Lewis Yocum. Zimmermann, 23, who is expected to miss between 12-18 months, will fly back to Washington on Thursday. He must wear a splint for the next week. Rizzo said that Zimmermann will remain with the team for the rest of the season while rehabbing.

* Austin Kearns (bruised right thumb) is still several weeks away from beginning a rehab assignment.

* Catcher Jesus Flores, who has been out since May 9 with a stress fracture in his right shoulder, on Wednesday began a throwing routine on the field at Nationals Park. Sometime within the next week, Flores will be sent down to Viera, Fla., to begin a more intensive rehab program.

* For what it's worth, since we're talking about him and might still be for a while: It's Dipoto, small p. Not DiPoto.

"Periculum, man you've got a quick hook. It's ONLY 2 RUNS! I shudder to think all the blown reliver arms under you if you were the manager.

Posted by: swang30 | August 19, 2009"

2 runs I can understand! BUT FOUR WALKS plus a hit to make the bases loaded!!! That's Gascanrahan!!! Thankfully he settled down ... sheesh and guys on this blog complain about tommy john's and JD Martin ... Balester should know by now that that is a quick way to get sent down to Wegman's land.

Balester is a triple A pitcher at best why Martis hasn't been recalled is beyond me i'm still working on why he was sent down in the first place he had a winning record and his era wasn't any worse than the majority of pitchers on this team save Lannan, name any other starter who's better than Shairon.

"Balester is a triple A pitcher at best why Martis hasn't been recalled is beyond me i'm still working on why he was sent down in the first place he had a winning record and his era wasn't any worse than the majority of pitchers on this team save Lannan, name any other starter who's better than Shairon."
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Martis has given up 66 hits in 49.1 innings at Syracuse. He does not deserve a call-up!

Looks like the Nats medical man went to LA to learn from a nationally-recognized specialist. This represents an investment by the Nats in the medical side of things. Very encouraging that they sprang for the costs involved, which must have been humungous.

The more I see of what's going on now, suxch as this exercise, the more encouraged I am that perhaps the club finally has gotten its sea legs.

Debbi Taylor just reported that Flores threw today and will play winter ball in Venezuela. Glad to hear that he is progressing. Wish he'd skip winter ball, though! For catchers especially, I don't like to see them play in Olympics off season or winter ball either! Keep your fingers crossed!

Of rostered players, Martis (40-man SYR) last pitched on the 17th, Estrada (40-man SYR) last pitched on the 18th, and Detwiler (40-man SYR) pitches tonight; Chico (40-man HAR) last pitched on the 15th, and Atilano (40-man HAR) last pitched on the 14th.

Right now in AA Bradley Meyers probably is Harrisburg's best starter. Atilano does not look ready. Chico is still rehabbing. Martis does not look ready.

Detwiler and/or Estrada are the logical choices. Of the two Estrada has shown the most marked and recent improvement. The only better starting pitcher probably would be Meyers who, combined with Storen, looks unbeatable.

@peri: I was simply pointing out "rostered" pitchers who could move up to the 25-man roster, and where they would fall in the current rotation.

FWIW, Meyers has been DL'ed once this season (in POT), and Storen has already jumped from NCAA to AA in 2009. Both pitchers are outside the 40-man roster, and will probably stay there until at least 2009 off-season or 2010 spring training.

I really don't like how they're letting Rizzo twist like this. I hope the Lerners have told Rizzo that, once Strasburg Week is over (and the Lerners return from CT), they will announce that the job is his. If not, and with all this DiPoto talk, then it's a very unclassy move by the Nats directed at a very classy, respected, and hard-working Rizzo.

sorry to be late to the party. my sense is that Rizzo has been given some sense of the situation already. Either the DiPoto situation is part of the deal or a farce, but I think Rizzo is in on it by now.

"FWIW, Meyers has been DL'ed once this season (in POT), and Storen has already jumped from NCAA to AA in 2009. Both pitchers are outside the 40-man roster, and will probably stay there until at least 2009 off-season or 2010 spring training."

Ladson is now reporting Rizzo is the new GM to be announced Friday....Now that makes more sense....last night on MASN Debbie Taylor was interviewing Stan and she seemed to be expecting Stan to make the announcement on air.....I still think Stan is stepping back and we will have Rizzo and another hire.

Not that we'd ever know, but who wants to bet that the "wrong" story was leaked by Kasten. A bit of falsity to help get his revenge at the media for what Stan felt was the pushing the Acta is fired story... Wouldn't shock me at all if he was behind the Dipoto rumor just to make sure that some reporters would have egg on their face on this one. Fine with me - as long as the pick the right guy -- RIZZO -- in the end...

Congrats to a well-deserved promotion for MRizzo as our permanent GM !! Now hopefully Riggleman's title of "Interim" will be removed and be made permanent also. We lost today 4-5 to the Rockies but tried their best to rally falling short...Nyger continues to play well...2 hits and a stolen base...Good try Nats..

Maybe Rizzo leaked the Dipoto story to give him leverage to get his formal naming and contract done fast, the team didn’t want to have this mess up the Strasburg feel good moment. Careful Stan, you may be the “proud papa”, but that skill works both ways!

Oh, another thing: Dunn in the bottom of the 7th, striking out looking on a borderline call. With runners on 1st and 3rd -- taking a borderline pitch trying to take a walk. How many times have we seen this this year? Seriously, RISP and taking a called third strike -- 20+?

Ladson, quoting an unnamed source (gotta be StanK, right?), better be right about Rizzo getting the permanent job on Thursday. Wow. This team does two things right in a week. Way to go, Nats. Winning streak by the FO.

Oh, another thing: Dunn in the bottom of the 7th, striking out looking on a borderline call. With runners on 1st and 3rd -- taking a borderline pitch trying to take a walk. How many times have we seen this this year? Seriously, RISP and taking a called third strike -- 20+?

Posted by: mo_dc | August 19, 2009 10:44 PM
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We've seen this entirely too may times! I dreaded that at bat when I should have been encouraged.